Improvement in inkstands



UNITED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

STEPHEN w. BALDWIN, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN INKSTANDS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, STEPHEN W. BALDWIN, of Yonkers, Westchester county, in the State of New York, have invented certain Improvements relating to Inkstands, of which the following is a specification:

I provide a hinged cover, with a tendency to open, and so arrange the parts that the pen may be dipped and the inkstand used in the ordinary manner; and when the use ceases the pen maybe left supported on the inkstand in such a manner as to both sustain the pen ready for subsequent use and to lock the covor down tightly.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawing forms a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved inkstand open; Fig. 2 is a corresponding elevation, showing the novel parts with the cover closed; and Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the parts in the last-named condition.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is the body of the inkstand, which may be of glass or other suitable material, in any ordinary or suitable form. B is acover, properly adapted to fit tightly upon the mouth, and turning on a hinge or axis, b, and provided, near its other edge, with a wide staple, 11, adapted to receive the flat spring D, which is fixed to the stationary parts of the inkstand, with sufficient, length to insure a proper action. The spring is subject to be held down, when desired, by any suitable object, which will ordinarily be the pen, marked M, which is introduced conveniently between the spring and fixed abutments E E, which are mounted on the inkstand, as represented. I will designate the two abutments collectively by the single letter E when necessary. The form of the parts which support these abut ments, and, to a certain extent, the form of the abut-- ents themselves, may be varied. In the form represented the spring D is partially housed and protected within side pieces A A, and is bridged over by the crosspiece A so that the height to which the spring D may rise is thereby limited.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 134,836, dated January 14, 1873.

There may be ornamental parts, as shown above or around the abutments E, and the spring D may be connected by a screw or analogous removable fastening, 01-, so that the force of the spring may be adjusted; or a new one may be substituted when desired.

It will be observed that when the pen M is in the position between the abutments E and the spring D the cover is not only allowed to rest upon the mouth of the inkstand, but is pressed down with a gentle force by the action of the spring D in the reverse direction to the force which it exerts when free. This action is not essential to some degree of success in the use of my invention; but I esteem it advantageous. On withdrawing the pen the spring instantly acts to lift the cover, and thenceforward the inkstand may serve in the ordinary manner until, at the close of the writing, the pen is, by a very easy motion, brought over the spring D, pressing it and the cover down, and a simple motion then transfers it laterally under the abutments E. In this position the inkstand is stoppered, and the pen is adequately supported, both to rest quietly until they are again wanted.

I have experimented, with some success, in substituting a weighted lever for the spring D, and in giving various difi'erent inclinations to the spring, or its equivalent, and to the abutments E.

It is, of course, practicable to provide additional parts, which may serve as ordinary pen-racks.

In the form of the device. represented an additional pen may be inserted above the abutments E, if desired.

The abutment E may be made single, and the cover made with two parts, to bear on each side; the abutment or abutments may be made more or less elastic; and in either case the main objects of my invention will obviously be attained.

I claim as my invention 1. The within-described covered inkstand, in combination with an elastic pen-rack, the parts being so arranged that the introduction of the pen-handle into the rack closes the cover of the inkstand, and its removal liberates it, substantially as herein specified.

2. In combination with the body A, abutment E. and hinged cover B b b, the spring my hand this 30. day of December, 1872, in the D, constructed and arranged as shown, so that presence of two subscribing witnesses. the spring shall perform the double function STEPHEN W. BALDWIN. of holding open the cover in one condition, and of holding it tightly closed in another, as Witnesses: herein specified. WM. 0. DEY,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ARNOLD HoRMANN. 

